FELIX JONES IS unlikely to be back in action before Christmas, Munster Rugby has confirmed.
The full-back missed out on travelling to the World Cup in New Zealand after suffering a foot injury while playing for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium last month and, having seen a specialist, he isn’t expected to return until the end of the year at the earliest.
Peter Borlase has been ruled out for five week because of an Achilles problem and there is still no news over when scrum-half Tomas O’Leary (lower back) might return though Mike Sherry, Denis Hurley and BJ Botha have returned to full training and are in contention to feature against the Scarlets this weekend.
Leinster, meanwhile, have concerns at ten after it was announced that fly-half Mat Berquist will be sidelined for at least four months after he suffered a fractured patella (kneecap) during the league game against the Dragons.
With Jonathan Sexton in New Zealand and Ian McKinley recently forced to retire because of an eye injury, Ian Madigan is the province’s sole fit specialist kicker – though back Isa Nacewa has previously played at fly-half.
Luke Fitzgerald is expected to feature on Friday evening having sat out last week’s fixture in order to fully recover from the knee injury he sustained against the Ospreys, while second row Steven Sykes (knee) has edged closer to a first-team return as his recovery from injury continues.
Ulster’s new Kiwi full-back, Jared Payne, is hoping to make an impact at the club this season and believes his national side have a “good shot” at claiming the World Cup trophy on home soil.
Speaking to Ulster Rugby TV (video), he said: “I think New Zealand have got a good chance – as good a chance as any other team. It’s going to be challenging conditions, late night games but the All Blacks have got a good team with plenty of experience.
“If you look at the Aussies and South Africa, they have good teams too and there are the northern hemisphere teams as well. It’s going to be pretty awesome but I reckon they have a good shot.”
The 25-year-old has been training with Brian McLaughlin’s squad this week and could feature against at Ravenhill this Friday night when Ulster take on Cardiff Blues.